Knee Cartilage Surgery
What are the Surgical Options for Knee Cartilage Injuries?
Knee cartilage injuries can be debilitating, affecting mobility and quality of life. When conservative treatments fail to provide relief, surgical intervention becomes necessary. Here, we discuss advanced surgical options for knee cartilage repair, including Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation, Matrix-Assisted Chondrocyte Implantation (MACI), and Bio-Cartilage.
- Procedure: Osteochondral allograft transplantation involves replacing damaged cartilage and underlying bone with a graft obtained from a cadaveric donor. The graft is matched to the size and shape of the defect and is fixed in place using surgical techniques.
- Advantages:
- Provides a large, structurally sound graft to replace both cartilage and bone.
- Suitable for larger or complex defects, as well as cases with significant subchondral bone involvement.
- Preserves native cartilage properties and biomechanics.
- Considerations:
- Limited availability of suitable donor grafts.
- Risk of immune rejection or disease transmission (minimized with rigorous donor screening protocols).
- Prolonged recovery time and rehabilitation compared to some other techniques.
- Procedure: MACI is a two-step procedure that involves harvesting healthy cartilage cells (chondrocytes) from the patient’s own knee, culturing them in a laboratory, and then implanting them into the cartilage defect. A biocompatible scaffold is used to support the cells and facilitate their integration into the surrounding tissue.
- Advantages:
- Utilizes the patient’s own cells, reducing the risk of immune rejection.
- Allows for customization of the graft size and shape to match the defect.
- Preserves native cartilage properties and promotes long-term tissue regeneration.
- Considerations:
- Requires two separate surgeries, with a waiting period of several weeks between procedures.
- Complex surgical technique and longer rehabilitation compared to some other options.
- Limited availability in certain regions or healthcare settings.
- Procedure: Bio-Cartilage is a synthetic scaffold designed to mimic the properties of natural cartilage. It is composed of biocompatible materials, such as hyaluronic acid and collagen, that promote cell growth and tissue regeneration. The scaffold is implanted into the cartilage defect, where it serves as a framework for new tissue formation.
- Advantages:
- Off-the-shelf availability, eliminating the need for cell harvesting or culturing.
- Biocompatible and resorbable, reducing the risk of immune reactions or complications.
- Can be combined with other procedures, such as microfracture or debridement, to enhance outcomes.
- Considerations:
- Efficacy and long-term durability compared to natural tissue grafts are still being studied.
- May not be suitable for larger or deep defects, where a more robust graft is required.
- Cost considerations, as synthetic scaffolds may be more expensive than traditional techniques.
Why choose Dr. Christian Cruz?
For those considering knee cartilage surgery, Dr. Christian Cruz provides advanced surgical care to treat a range of cartilage issues. Practicing in Alexandria, Arlington, and Lanham, Dr. Cruz utilizes state-of-the-art techniques to improve knee function and quality of life. Schedule a consultation today to learn more about your treatment options.
At a Glance
Dr. Christian Cruz
- Fellowship trained in Sports Medicine and Shoulder Surgery
- Expertise in complex knee and shoulder reconstruction
- Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Uniformed Services University School of Health Sciences
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